The unpaved road to Vetas, the highest town in Colombia
Colombia, south-america
21.8 km
3,350 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're heading to Vetas, said to be Colombia's highest town, perched way up at 3,350 meters (that's nearly 11,000 feet!). Seriously, it's one of the highest towns you can actually drive to anywhere.
Founded way back in 1551 in the wild *páramo* between Bucaramanga and Pamplona, Vetas sits in the heart of a big mining area. Getting there? Let's just say your trusty 4x4 will become your best friend. The road is unpaved and rugged. The climb is intense, with seriously steep inclines and thin air that'll have you gasping. The gravel road can get dicey, especially near the edges.
This isn't a Sunday drive! You're gaining serious altitude, traveling through remote landscapes, and the area is often shrouded in mist. Starting from Berlin, off the Bucaramanga-Pamplona road (66), it's a 21.8 km (13.5 miles) ride. Be prepared, and get ready for some truly breathtaking (literally and figuratively) scenery!
Where is it?
The unpaved road to Vetas, the highest town in Colombia is located in Colombia (south-america). Coordinates: 5.2781, -73.5529
Road Details
- Country
- Colombia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 21.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,350 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 5.2781, -73.5529
Related Roads in south-america
hardIs Chicamocha Canyon worth it?
🇨🇴 Colombia
Okay, picture this: you're in Colombia, ready for an adventure, and someone mentions the Chicamocha Canyon. Trust me, you HAVE to go! This massive canyon, nestled between Boyacá and Santander departments in the Andes, is mind-blowing. They say it's the second biggest in the world, plunging down over 6,500 feet. Now, the road cutting through it – Ruta Nacional 45A – is fully paved, so no need to worry about off-roading. You can cruise from Los Curos to Aratoca along this 25-mile stretch. Don't get too comfy, though! This toll road is a rollercoaster with crazy steep sections and hairpin turns galore. But trust me, the views are worth it. Just keep your eyes on the road! This canyon and the surrounding Chicamocha National Park are a total feast for the eyes. Get ready for some unforgettable photo ops.
extremePuente Mal Paso: The Historic Icon of the Escoipe Gorge
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Northwest Argentina, Salta province to be exact, and BAM! You hit Puente Mal Paso, a seriously cool historic bridge. Think of it as the ultimate entrance to the legendary RP33, the road that winds its way up to Cuesta del Obispo and the dreamy Calchaquí Valleys. Trust me, this bridge is epic. Nestled in the Quebrada de Escoipe, this bridge is surrounded by dramatic reddish rock formations. It's located on Provincial Route 33 (RP33). While the fancy new road now swooshes right next to it, the original bridge is still standing proud, ready for its close-up. "Mal Paso" literally means "Bad Pass", and back in the day, it lived up to its name. Imagine horse-drawn carriages and mule teams trying to navigate this narrow gorge – river crossings were a nightmare, and the steep terrain made it super treacherous. These days, you won't actually drive *over* the old Puente Mal Paso when you're heading from Salta to Cachi. They built a wider road right alongside it for safety and smoother traffic. But the old bridge? Total photo op. The rugged structure against those red mountains? Insta-gold. Even though the modern road bypasses the bridge itself, the drive through the gorge is still a bit of an adventure. The road is paved, but it's narrow, with towering cliffs on one side and the Escoipe River on the other. And watch out during the summer months (December to March) – flash floods can still make "Mal Paso" live up to its reputation.
moderateA very bumpy, grueling road to Puna Jujeña
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Puna Jujeña! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a seriously stunning, sky-high pass in the Rinconada Department of Argentina, clocking in at a breathtaking 4,438 meters (that's 14,560 feet for us imperial folks!). You'll find this gem nestled way up in Jujuy Province, in the northern reaches of the country. The road itself? Well, let's just say it's "rustic." Ruta Nacional 40 (RN40) to be exact – 70 kilometers (or around 43 miles) of pure, unadulterated unpaved road winding its way between Orosmayo and Coranzuli. Prepare for some seriously otherworldly views; picture a lunar landscape unfolding before your very eyes. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road – this is a remote route, so come prepared, and be ready for an unforgettable journey!
extremeHow long is the South Pole Traverse?
🌍 Antarctica
Okay, picture this: the South Pole Traverse, aka the McMurdo-South Pole Highway. It's the world's southernmost road, a whopping 1,600 kilometers (almost 1000 miles!) of pure Antarctic adventure. Think of it as a compacted snow super-highway connecting McMurdo Station to the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. Built by filling in those scary deep crevasses, the "highway" is strictly tractor territory – specialized vehicles hauling sleds of supplies. Construction kicked off in 2002 and wrapped up around 2006, but it needs a refresh every season. Let me tell you, this road is NOT paved. It's all snow, baby! Think flags marking the way across the icy expanse. It takes about 40 days to get supplies to the South Pole this way, which is way more reliable (and cheaper!) than flying. Plus, they can haul some seriously heavy equipment. The return trip, lighter on fuel, is much faster. Most of the super sketchy crevasses are found in the steep area between the McMurdo Ice Shelf and the Antarctic Plateau, where the road climbs to over 2,000 meters (6,600 feet)! Talk about an extreme road trip.